Scientists just detected this life-forming molecule in interstellar space for the first time

[Judi Lynn]

Scientists just detected this life-forming molecule in interstellar space for the first time

This is huge!

PETER DOCKRILL
15 JUN 2016


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Colour-composite image of the Galactic Centre and Sagittarius B2, where the chiral molecule was detected. Credit: ESO/APEX & MSX/IPAC/NASA
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For the first time ever, scientists have detected a complex organic molecule called a chiral molecule in the reaches of interstellar space, and the discovery could greatly enhance our understanding of how biological life came to be on Earth – and maybe even life's prospects for evolving elsewhere in the galaxy.

The molecule in question, propylene oxide, was discovered in a gigantic gas cloud called Sagittarius B2, located about 390 light-years from the centre of the Milky Way. Sagittarius B2 has a mass around 3 million times the mass of the Sun, and now we know that this huge conglomeration contains chiral molecules in its midst, which had never previously been detected outside our Solar System.

"This is the first molecule detected in interstellar space that has the property of chirality, making it a pioneering leap forward in our understanding of how prebiotic molecules are made in the Universe and the effects they may have on the origins of life," said chemist Brett McGuire from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Virginia.

Chirality is a geometric property of molecules, where asymmetric molecules display an almost identical chemical composition, but in an altered configuration – much like a mirror image – in what are called left-handed or right-handed versions.

More:
http://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-just-detected-this-life-forming-molecule-in-interstellar-space-for-the-first-time

[mopinko]

1. correction

chirality- molecules have exactly the same chemical composition.

[eppur_se_muova]

4. Also, "much" like a mirror image ? No, EXACTLY a mirror image. nt

[PJMcK]

2. It's only a matter of time

Someday, hopefully soon, irrefutable evidence of life beyond earth will be discovered. That will be a cultural and social event with huge repercussions. How will nations relate to one another with this new knowledge? Religions will face tremendous upheavals. There could be mass hysteria and fear of the unknown. The scope of the possible unrest is one reason, I think, that stories about UFO's and government secrecy have bred so many conspiracy theories.

Interestingly, those impacts are a part of the plot to "2001: A Space Odyssey." In the film, lunar scientists discover evidence that an intelligent life-form had buried a monolith on the Moon 3 million years earlier. The scientists keep this a secret even from their own astronauts on their way to Jupiter. The HAL 9000 computer on their spacecraft knew the secret and was programmed to not tell the astronauts about it. This caused a programming flaw that made HAL a killer in order to cover the secret. It's one of the best science fiction movies and not only are the special effects amazing- the film was released in 1968- but the story is deeply philosophical.

Thanks for posting this story, Judi Lynn.

[cstanleytech]

5. Life itself isnt a question of existing, the real question is are there currently any

technologically advanced species in our galaxy with ours or are we the only one currently around this neck of the woods?

[eppur_se_muova]

3. Um ... the molecule may be chiral, but both enantiomers should be present in equal amounts.

This is a leap forward toward nothing.

More "PRECURSORS OF LIFE FOUND IN OUTER SPACE!" Panspermian happy horseshit.